ASB/General/TBT-ASB-005

Refurbishment and Demolition Surveys

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Refurbishment and Demolition Surveys

Toolbox Talk Record

Ref: TBT-ASB-005  |  Issue: 1  |  Date: March 2026
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What?

  • A refurbishment and demolition survey is required before any intrusive work on pre-2000 buildings.
  • The survey identifies all asbestos-containing materials that may be disturbed by planned works.
  • It is required under the Control of Asbestos Regulations 2012 before intrusive work begins.
  • The survey must be carried out by a UKAS-accredited surveyor before work starts.
  • Areas that are difficult to access must still be surveyed — no area can be presumed asbestos-free.
  • Bulk samples are taken and analysed by an accredited laboratory to confirm material types.
  • The survey report must be available to all contractors and included in pre-construction information.
  • Failure to commission a proper survey has led to uncontrolled asbestos exposure on many projects.
  • The duty holder or client is responsible for ensuring the survey is completed before work starts.
  • HSE can issue prohibition notices and prosecute where surveys are not completed as required.

Why?

Prevent exposureAsbestos fibres cause mesothelioma and lung cancer — there is no safe exposure level.
Legal requirementThe Control of Asbestos Regulations 2012 mandate surveys before intrusive work.
Protect workersWithout a survey, workers unknowingly disturb asbestos materials.
Avoid prosecutionHSE actively enforces survey requirements with fines and imprisonment.
Do Don't
  • Commission a refurbishment and demolition survey before any intrusive works.
  • Use only UKAS-accredited surveyors for all asbestos survey work.
  • Ensure the survey covers all areas to be disturbed by the planned works.
  • Make the survey report available to every contractor working on site.
  • Include survey findings in the pre-construction information under CDM 2015.
  • Stop work immediately if suspected asbestos is found that was not surveyed.
  • Re-survey if the scope of works changes to include new areas.
  • Keep a copy of the survey report on site for the project duration.
  • Brief all operatives on asbestos locations identified in the survey.
  • Follow the survey recommendations for removal or management of each material.
  • DON'T start intrusive work on pre-2000 buildings without a survey.
  • DON'T assume a building is asbestos-free without laboratory-confirmed results.
  • DON'T use unaccredited surveyors — their reports may not be legally valid.
  • DON'T ignore survey findings or fail to communicate them to contractors.
  • DON'T disturb any material suspected of containing asbestos without testing.
  • DON'T proceed with work if the survey does not cover your work area.
  • DON'T rely on a management survey for refurbishment — a full R&D survey is needed.
  • DON'T dispose of asbestos waste through normal waste streams.
  • DON'T allow survey reports to be filed without being acted upon.
  • DON'T treat the survey as a one-off — re-assess when work scope changes.

See also: Asbestos Awareness | Emergency Procedures (Suspected ACM)
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